Oh look. A review from 2018 from a indie movie made in 2006.
After seeing this in my Spanish class, i decided to write a little review for anyone interested in indie films with a majorly Latin cast. Bella is one of those movies that is brilliantly presented. In terms of its soundtrack, its camerawork, and even its voice-actors, that can really present true emotion and can even send goosebumps in some scenes
Story: 7/10
The story is about a chef named José, a former soccer player who is traumatized off of an event (that i can't spoil because it's presented so well). He witnesses Nina get fired from her job, unknown by the weight she's actually carrying. Litterally, in her belly. She's pregnant. On their mini adventure it tackles many themes on parenthood and even controversal topics like abortion. I would give the story a 9/10, but there's one giant factor that struggles to coincide. Which are the future scenes that overlap with present conversations. In my opinion, they can work. But as an audience, i dont want to constantly be asking "What was that? Why are they here now? Is this the past or present or future or? Im so confused" the movie makes it really confusing for the viewer at some points to fully take in the future scenes with no context.
Characters 9/10 One of the things i love about the movies is how the characters are in no way pretentious (except for José's brother who's basically a joke character). Many of them have their own problems and identities, and the audience can even relate the characters. Whether you're traumatized by the past, have a fear of failure, fear of parenthood, etc. the movie speaks through the characters really which i consider really well done.
Art/Sound 7/10 Grading art (camerawork, music, sound) is really hard, because there are multiple different factors that can and can't work that don't absolutely ruin the movie. In terms of soundtrack, there isn't anything memorable, but the acting and camerawork has high marks. They're able to convey so much emotion and pain even in scenes where they aren't mainly communicating. The actors do such a good job at filling the audience with goosebumps which gives the sound a 8/10 and the music at 6/10.
Conclusion: Would i recommend this to you? It depends on how you feel about slow pacing. If you consider it a good thing to get to know and develop the characters and their problems, then you will really enjoy it. If you dont, because you're into more action-packed scenes in dramas, you're gonna get bored easily.
Story: 7/10 Characters: 8/10 Art/Sound: 7/10 Total score: 7.33/10
Characters 9/10 One of the things i love about the movies is how the characters are in no way pretentious (except for José's brother who's basically a joke character). Many of them have their own problems and identities, and the audience can even relate the characters. Whether you're traumatized by the past, have a fear of failure, fear of parenthood, etc. the movie speaks through the characters really which i consider really well done.
Art/Sound 7/10 Grading art (camerawork, music, sound) is really hard, because there are multiple different factors that can and can't work that don't absolutely ruin the movie. In terms of soundtrack, there isn't anything memorable, but the acting and camerawork has high marks. They're able to convey so much emotion and pain even in scenes where they aren't mainly communicating. The actors do such a good job at filling the audience with goosebumps which gives the sound a 8/10 and the music at 6/10.
Conclusion: Would i recommend this to you? It depends on how you feel about slow pacing. If you consider it a good thing to get to know and develop the characters and their problems, then you will really enjoy it. If you dont, because you're into more action-packed scenes in dramas, you're gonna get bored easily.
Story: 7/10 Characters: 8/10 Art/Sound: 7/10 Total score: 7.33/10